Canberra has the worst air quality in the world AGAIN
Canberra has the worst air quality in the world AGAIN – forcing childcare centres, museums and shops to close
By Australian Associated Press
Published: | Updated:
Canberra child care centres have closed due to the poor air quality in the capital from bushfire smoke.
The capital’s air quality is the worst of any major city in the world on Monday morning, as winds carry in smoke from bushfires in New South Wales.
The Department of Health is relocating staff in Canberra to other offices in the city due to the smoke but is otherwise operating.
Canberra child care centres have closed due to the poor air quality in the capital from bushfire smoke
Shops, museums and recreational facilities have all slowly closed their doors across the capital as air quality deteriorates.
All Qantas flights at Canberra Airport were cancelled on Sunday due to the smoke affecting ground staff.
Australia Post has also cancelled deliveries in the capital, citing worker safety, leaving the local State Emergency Service to deliver particulate-filter masks to shops with depleted stocks.
On Saturday Canberra had its hottest day on record at 44C, beating the old record of 42.8C in 1939.
The city had the worst air quality in the world on Sunday as well as several days last week.
AUSTRALIA’S BUSHFIRE CRISIS – WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Evacuations are underway and emergency alerts are in place in NSW, Victoria and South Australia as authorities predict the devastating bushfires will continue burning until at least March.
At least 23 people have been killed in blazes across the country since the bushfire season began in October, there are six people still missing in fire-affected regions
NEW SOUTH WALES/ACT
Two people are unaccounted – one near Bodalla on the South Coast and the other person from Bombala near the Victorian border
At least 150 bushfires were burning in NSW on Sunday
19 people dead
3.6 million hectares burned, greater than the size of Belgium
At least 1,365 homes confirmed destroyed
VICTORIA
Two people dead, four missing
About 50 bushfires burning
More than 784,000 hectares burned
330 structures confirmed destroyed but significantly more expected
SOUTH AUSTRALIA
Three people, including two from Kangaroo Island, are dead
17 bushfires burning, four of significance
More than 100,000 hectares burned
88 homes confirmed destroyed
About 600 properties on Kangaroo Island remain without power with SA Power Networks warning it may be some time before crews can access the fire ground to assess damage
QUEENSLAND
33 bushfires burning
250,000 hectares burned
45 homes confirmed destroyed
WESTERN AUSTRALIA
More than 35 bushfires burning, two of significance
